Version 23.2 of the MX Linux distribution, which is particularly suitable for older notebooks and PCs, is now available for download. Based on Debian 12.4, it includes an up-to-date kernel and the PipeWire 1.0 multimedia system.https://www.notebookcheck.net/MX-Linux-23-2-with-the-latest-PipeWire-1-0-multimedia-system-breathes-new-life-into-old-laptops.795650.0.html
While the performance and support is certainly great the main issue with many Linux distros on older laptops is unsolvable tremendous overheating. The same machine, even with Celeron or Pentium, will run crazy hot temps where for the same workload in Windows 7 or 8.1 you get like literally 30°C lower CPU averages. Not sure if they fixed that lately with different kernels (since about the summer of 2022 when I tried the last time on my friend's 9 year old HP with i3). Powertop is not helping, sadly.